Avid Bioservices Inc (CDMO)

[entdoc]

swg_tdr, a complex issue, lab testing for sensitivity to various anti-cancer agents. Here are a couple good website references: http://www.topix.com/forum/drug/herceptin/TE1PBDIBSPSA1DHC4
http://www.herceptin.com/her2-breast-cancer/testing-education/what-is.jsp
Not sure what your interest is in Herceptin, and testing for HER2 receptors. The article points out the variation in results between labs,typical of any lab procedure that requires complicated preparation of specimen; specimen-marker interaction; and human observation to quantitate results. That variation in interpretation should put everyone reading this on notice that there is variation in interpretation of many biopsy results, and it is only common sense to insist on a 2nd opinion pathology reading from a 2nd pathologist in borderline cases or instances of rare tumor types. To verify cancer v. benign biopsy results the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology was always the standard in the past. Now MD Anderson, Dana Farber, etc. are considered good 2nd opinion sites.
Herceptin receptor testing is necessary because not all breast cancers over-express the ectodermal growth factor, a phenom. which leads to more aggressive growth, and it would be a waste of $45k in treatment expense.
One of the best things about PPHM Bavi is that it will probably not require receptor testing since most solid tumors vessels express
inverted -PS. The movement in industry at this point is undeniably away from MABs toward small molecules that can be administered orally. The problem with Erbitux, Avastin, Herceptin, etc. is that they are already dinosaurs. Unlike small molecule candidates they are physically large and unable to penetrate between cells within the intercellular matrix. That is one possible reasons for the underwhelming response to PPHM Bavituximab at this point by big pharma. However, small molecule treatment has a ways to go down the thorny FDA approval pathway too. The factors that make Bavi- so compelling is that it is able to carry a payload of small molecules in a very specific manner directly to tumor. That is huge. Rather than taking the small molecule by mouth and have it distribute throughout the body and then concentrate at tumor site, IV Bavi homes on tumor vasculature, and also pumps the immune system.